Optometrists Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $160,390 +19% vs national
Median hourly $77.11
10th percentile $109,110
90th percentile $176,310
Employed locally 170
National median $134,830

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Optometrists
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Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $109,110
    25th
    $130,840
    50th (median)
    $160,390
    75th
    $162,650
    90th
    $176,310

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Optometrists salary vs area income 227% Median Optometrists salary is 127% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Optometrists

    Metro areaMedian salary
    La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN $176,930
    Asheville, NC $167,980
    Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area $166,920
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $165,870
    Alaska $165,830
    Reno, NV $165,060

    Nearby metros — Optometrists salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Syracuse, NY $163,400
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $161,120
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $160,520
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $149,340
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $147,380
    Rochester, NY $139,990

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $95,380
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $60,570
    Pharmacy Technicians $37,630
    Physicians, All Other $97,960
    Pharmacists $135,410
    Nurse Practitioners $133,430

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Optometrists make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Optometrists in Buffalo, NY is $77.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $82.15 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Optometrists salaries?

    The median Optometrists salary in Buffalo, NY is 19% above the national median of $134,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Optometrists in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Optometrists (10th percentile) earn around $109,110 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $130,840.